Icy weather brings travel chaos

Treacherous icy weather has brought more misery to millions of people who are preparing to travel on the roads over the festive period, with breakdown companies experiencing their busiest night in 25 years.

In the next two days, delays are expected on the roads, trains and at airports and accusations that councils did not act quick enough have been defended by the Local Government Association (LGA).

It said claims local authorities had failed to grit roads were "unverified, unsubstantiated and unjustified".

On Tuesday, drivers in Basingstoke, Hampshire, Reading and Berkshire were trapped and many motorists had to abandon their vehicles.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said he would be "asking questions" about why salt had not been spread on the roads.

David Sparks, chairman of the LGA's transport and regeneration board, reassured people that councils were doing "all they can" but in some parts of Britain gritters had been restricted by a "perfect storm".

He added: "Accusations that councils were ill-prepared and have been withholding salt from where it is needed are unverified, unsubstantiated and unjustified."